Central Missouri pitcher picks up more honors

The awards keep piling in for University of Central Missouri senior softball pitcher Megan Leonard as she was named a second-team All-American by Daktronics, and a third-team All-American by the NFCA on Thursday.

Leonard, who was also the 2009 MIAA Pitcher of the Year and first-team All-South Central Region pick by both organizations, tied the NCAA-II national record for consecutive scoreless innings pitched at 83.2. She was named MIAA Pitcher of the Week on three occasions, and the NFCA National Pitcher of the Week after breaking the record.

The Purdy, Mo. native finished the season with an 18-4 record and a 1.06 ERA while striking out 289 batters in only 171.1 innings. She tossed 11 shutouts and 20 complete games as well.

Leonard finished her career with 10.5 K’s per nine innings to rank No.1 all-time at UCM, shattering the old mark of 6.65 by Mandee Berg. The Jennies advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the third consecutive season, and won the MIAA Championship for the first time since 1997.